How Much Does It Cost to Rebalance Your HVAC System?

There's nothing more annoying than a room that stubbornly remains swelteringly hot or icy cold when you turn on your HVAC system. While it can be tempting to crank up the settings to get your room to the same temperature as the rest of your house, this tactic can significantly increase your energy bills.

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HVAC rebalancing helps restore consistent airflow, improving your system's performance and making your home more comfortable.

What Is HVAC Rebalancing?

HVAC rebalancing, also known as air balancing, ensures every room in your home reaches a consistent temperature by adjusting the vents and dampers in your ductwork. Professional air balancing involves measuring the airflow from each part of your HVAC system using specialized equipment.

Your technician will then adjust the ventilation until the airflow from each vent reaches an optimal level. Altering the airflow reaching each room allows your HVAC system to distribute hot or cold air evenly so your rooms reach your desired temperature at the same time.

When installing your HVAC system, your technician probably balanced the airflow. However, various issues can cause your home's ventilation to become unbalanced. For example, a room's airflow requirements may change following a home addition or window replacement. Your home may also develop airflow issues if someone adjusts the vents incorrectly.

You may require airflow optimization if you notice a temperature difference between rooms. Hiring a professional to perform ductwork adjustments can help lower your energy bills and improve HVAC efficiency. That's because you'll likely end up running your HVAC system longer or at a higher setting than usual to get particular rooms to the right temperature.

Before calling an HVAC technician, some homeowners prefer to try rebalancing their system themselves by adjusting the dampers and vents. DIY air balancing is unlikely to damage your system and could save you money on unnecessary callouts. However, you should consider calling a pro if DIY methods don't work. A licensed HVAC technician can diagnose hidden issues and assess your system to determine the most effective solution.

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How Much Does It Cost to Rebalance an HVAC System?

The cost of air balancing depends on how long your HVAC technician takes to adjust your ductwork. Professional technicians generally charge between $100 and $150 (CAD 144 and CAD 216) per vent for HVAC rebalancing services. Family Handyman estimates that air balancing for a typical family home costs $750 to $2,000 (CAD 1,078 to CAD 2,875).

What Factors Impact the Cost of HVAC Rebalancing?

The size of your home can impact how long air rebalancing takes because larger homes usually have more rooms, vents and dampers. Ductwork adjustment in a small apartment is often relatively speedy, while airflow optimization in a large family home could take significantly longer. As a rule of thumb, the larger your home, the more you'll pay for HVAC rebalancing.

Where you live can also impact the price of air balancing. HVAC technicians tend to charge more in expensive cities because their businesses cost more to run. Conversely, you'll likely pay lower rates in affordable towns with a lower cost of living.

You could pay significantly more if your HVAC technician discovers a problem affecting the airflow inside your home. Repairing ductwork typically costs between $2 and $4 (CAD 2.88 and CAD 5.75) per linear foot, while replacing faulty ductwork costs $35 to $55 (CAD 50 to CAD 79) per linear foot. Expect to pay $300 to $700 (CAD 431 to CAD 1,006) for a professional to clean your ductwork.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.